Tool Box

Zoom Tips and Tricks (1)

Over the course of the summer, I’ll be publishing tips and tricks for making the most out of your Zoom experience.

Throughout the last year, we’ve spoken with many Extension professionals about our excitement for Zoom. Many of you indicated that you’re hesitant to turn your webcam on during a Zoom meeting. I’ll admit, seeing myself talk in meetings was daunting at first, but I quickly learned sharing your video feed with colleagues is imperative to making virtual meetings truly successful.

I received the text below from a friend and colleague after last week’s Webinar Best Practices program. I was quick to share my little secret for looking great on Zoom meetings and webinars.

There is a setting accessible via the Zoom client that touches up your appearance by offering a softer focus. The result is a smooth and even complexion on your video feed. To enable the setting, open the Zoom client on your desktop (click here to access Zoom downloads) and open settings. In settings, click “video” and make sure the “touch up my appearance” has a check next to it. By toggling the checkbox, you can see an immediate difference.

 

For more information about accessing this feature in Windows and on iOS, visit the Zoom website.

Stay tuned for additional Zoom tips and tricks!

To access the CFAES Zoom Portal, click here.

2017 Zoom Trainings

Zoom Training Banner Image

Webinar Best Practices

Friday, June 2nd at 10am

 

Join Ed Techs to learn how to create and teach webinars that will keep your distance audience engaged and interested!

Hands typing on laptop keyboard

Click here to access the webinar.

 

Don’t forget! The Ed Tech Unit will be offering Zoom trainings the first Friday of every month at 10am throughout summer and fall.

 

June 2  /  July 7  /  August 4  /  September 1  /  October 6

Topics include:
  • Collaboration, scheduling, and registration
  • Marketing and reaching new audiences
  • Evaluation and reporting
  • PLUS! Sandbox time for playing and learning and Q&A

To access the introductory trainings, offered by CFAES IT, visit the CFAES Zoom Portal.

 

Snapchat Storytelling Webinar and TweetUp Recap

Interested in learning more about Snapchat but not sure where to start? The eXtension #EdTechLN recently hosted a TweetUp and webinar simulcast on using Snapchat for Extension storytelling. Check out the TweetUp recap to learn more about how Extension professionals are currently using Snapchat. Also watch the webinar recording to learn about the basics of using Snapchat!

Questions? Contact Jamie or Danae.

Engaging Audiences Online: Webinar Best Practices and Tips from the Field

With the announcement of OSU Extension gaining access to Zoom hosted meetings and webinars, Jamie Seger, Morgan Domokos, and Brian Raison offered a “Webinar Best Practices and Online Teaching Tips from the Field” during the 2016 OSUE Annual Conference. Further training on recommended Zoom equipment, use, and teaching via webinar will be offered by the Ed Tech Unit and CFAES IT Services in 2017.

Questions about Zoom and teaching via webinar in the meantime can be sent to Jamie or Danae.

Extension and the Maker Movement: Events Ideas and Collaborative Partnerships for Every Impact Area

During OSU Extension Annual Conference last week, our Tech Faire transformed into a Maker Fest, featuring sessions from #Adulting to homebrewing and Ohio makerspaces to home gardening.

Click the images to access a PDF of each flyer. Questions about how you can help OSU Extension become more involved in the Maker Movement? Contact Jamie or Danae.

 

 

 

Ed Tech Tools for Impact

With a growing number of tools and technologies available, how do you know which is best for you? The Ed Tech Unit has developed a list of tried-and-true educational technology tools that we feel are great options to include in your digital content strategy. We’ve organized the tools based on specific goals you may have for your county or program.

computer on table

We encourage Extension professionals to review the POST method for determining which tools to use for particular audiences you’re trying to reach and specific objectives you may have for each audience. It may be helpful to download and print this POST method worksheet for thinking through some of your goals before deciding which technology is best.

Goal: Improve Workflow, Productivity, and Communication

Be better organized
Box and Box Sync (cloud-based storage and syncing)
Evernote (capture and share ideas across devices)

Offer better communication with internal and external teams
Microsoft Lync (instant messaging – integrates with Outlook)
Slack (instant messaging and file sharing)

Communicate via text message to volunteers or program participants
Remind (mass texting)

Goal: Improve Audience Engagement During Live Programming

Gauge learning understanding
Kahoot (game-based learning)

Create adaptive programming
Poll Everywhere (live polling)

Goal: Diversify Communication Methods to Reach All Possible Audiences

Create content hub to create and store information
u.osu.edu (WordPress blogging platform)

Create an electronic newsletter
MailChimp (electronic newsletter platform – free for up to 2000 subscribers)

Create an alternative platform for communication with clientele
Twitter Chat (live chat via Twitter)
Facebook group (open, semi-private, or private groups)

Other Helpful Tools

Create branded graphics for sharing online
Canva (great for creating social media graphics)
Piktochart (great for creating infographics)

Create narrated PowerPoints
Camtasia Relay (screen and audio-capture software)

Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list of all tools you could choose from. The above options are tools that Extension professionals in Ohio and beyond have found helpful. Jamie or Danae would be happy to discuss these tools and others in greater depth. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions!

Use RegOnline for Taking Online Registration and Payment

Requiring program participants to print registration forms and mail checks to the office can be tedious. Did you know that every Extension office has the ability to take online registrations and payment for programs using RegOnline? RegOnline is a service available to all CFAES units, including Extension offices.

Hand on computer laptop

To access RegOnline, you will need to complete the Payment Card Industry (PCI) training available in BuckeyeLearn. Once you complete PCI training, email the Business Office (Jesse Buxton) for access to your RegOnline account. You can learn how to set up your event registration through the RegOnline Slide Presentation and training video.

The CFAES fee for using RegOnline is $3.25 per event registrant. Any registration that comes through with a credit card payment is charged 3.2% of the registration cost to cover fees from credit card companies. Keep in mind that the time you save in processing event registrations by hand will probably be well worth the $3.25 fee you will be charged per registrant when using RegOnline (you may consider building this cost into your event registration price).

For the instructions of how to get started using RegOnline, please visit the CFAES RegOnline page available here and carefully read through the instructions.

Questions? Contact Carol Allen, Cindy Buxton or Jesse Buxton

2016 Virtual Summer School

Join The National Association of Extension Program and Staff Development Professionals (NAEPSDP) this week for their virtual summer school to learn about social media use in Extension!

The Virtual Summer School starts TODAY at 2pm with a session on Using Social Media to Extend the Learning Process.

Virtual Summer School

Monday, August 15 at 2:00 EST
Topic: Using Social Media to Extend the Learning Process
Presenters: Drs. Karen Jeanette & Brigitte Scott, Virginia Tech, Military Families Learning Network

Tuesday, August 16 at 2:00 EST
Topic: Social Media Conduct
Presenter: Mark Hagemeier, J.D., Associate General Counsel University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR

Wednesday, August 17 at 2:00 EST
Topic: Social Media Analytics & Impact
Presenters: David G. Allen & Josh Paine, Communications and Marketing, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia

Thursday, August 18 at 3:00 EST
Topic: Accessibility for All: Digital Media Accessibility
Presenter: Richard Petty, Director, National Center for Aging and Disability, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Houston, TX

For more information and to register, visit the NAEPSDP website.

Innovate Extension May 11th & 12th: How Do We Participate?

This is the fourth post in our series detailing the upcoming innovateExtension event May 12th. You can view other posts in the series here. 

How Do We Participate?

Registration for innovateOSU is now OPEN. Go here to register. This conference will most likely sell out, so we highly suggest you register as soon as possible!

Registration for innovateExtension will be available very soon – keep an eye out for updates!

Participants will be required to register in teams, so start thinking now about who will be on your team and what your team name will be (have some fun with it!) Some examples of groups that may be interested in participating as a team:

  • Program Area or Design Team (i.e. 4-H STEM Pathways Design Team or FCS Healthy Relationships Team)
  • Curriculum or Signature Program Team (Dining with Diabetes, Local Food)
  • County Team
  • Team made up for the event itself (collaboration across program areas is encouraged, as more diverse groups lead to the most creative ideas)
  • Individuals who do not have a team, but want to participate (we’ll do the leg-work to match you up with others who need team members)

Will Our Team Have to Do Any Work Before the Event?

In a word, no. We’ll have a pre-event training on Creative and Innovative Thinking available to all event participants on April 28th, and provide some information about the event at that time. However, there is no commitment necessary in regard to your team needing to come to the event with topics or issues in mind. Teams can simply show up and see where the event takes them!

How Much Will This Cost Me?

Nothing! That’s right, it’s free! Our Ed Tech unit has been working hard to make sure this is a cost-free event available to all Extension staff. innovateOSU is also free.

Event Objectives:

  • To provide a day-long work session for innovative program planning.
  • To provide a fun environment conducive to creative thinking.
  • To inspire teams and individuals to update programs, change the way they work, or develop solutions to organizational challenges.
  • To provide Extension staff an opportunity to present new ideas and solutions to colleagues and administration.

Attend innovateOSU on May 11th to be inspired and learn how others in academia are creatively solving age-old dilemmas and finding new tools to strengthen their work. 

Attend our post-innovate event just for OSU Extension on May 12th to put these ideas and inspiration into practice.

Alright, I’m In! But I Still Have Questions…

Leave us a comment below with any questions you may have. Or, feel free to send questions directly to Jamie or Danae.

First Friday Coffee Break with an Ed Tech: Carmen Connect

In case you missed the First Friday Coffee Break this month on Carmen Connect, the recording is now available.

What You Missed:

  • Carmen Connect best practices
  • How to create a meeting room
  • How to add an audio profile to a meeting room
  • Tips and tricks for getting the most out of virtual meetings and webinars with Carmen Connect

Click here to view the recording.

 

Our next First Friday Coffee Break with an Ed Tech will be Friday, April 1st (no joke!). Topic TBD.

If you’re dying to learn about a particular ed tech topic, let us know! We’re looking for ideas for future Coffee Breaks! Contact Jamie or Danae or let us know in the comments!